Posts Tagged ‘Relationships’

“The goal is not to be better than anyone else but rather be better than you were yesterday.”– Jon Gordon

If I could share 500 words to inspire, this is the important wisdom I’d want to pass along to others…

The things I know for sure at this point are deceptively simple in mere words, but they are as follows:

As you evolve, your world evolves – it all starts with your own development. Grow with every challenge to give you the opportunity for transformative healing. Align with what feels right; your spirit knows more than your conscious mind. Trust and let it grow you to match the infinite consciousness of your being.

You are creating your reality; own what you’ve created so far to give yourself the permission and the power to create your new future. Be conscious in every aspect of living including your discoveries and your commitments. When you are present, there is no such thing as default outcomes. Know that where you are now is not a predictor of where you will be – it’s just where you are right now.

Follow your own wisdom and know what you know – take action accordingly. It might fly in the face of external circumstances, situations, relationships… but the shortest path is to follow your own counsel or you risk disempowering your most positive source of strength and wisdom – yourself. No one else can know what is true for you…and you’re the one who has to live with the results.

Friends and family cannot support you. Their job is to love you, which means to protect you from risk, give you their prescription for success (not yours), and keep you the same as they know you. Give yourself the gift of a community of like-spirited people to help you be your biggest, boldest self.

Forgive yourself. You have done, and are doing, your best with what you know at any given moment. If you knew better, you’d do better – and that goes for the people around you too. Release the need for perfection, judgment and learning through pain and punishment. Remember that dark cannot exist where there is light… focus on your guiding light.

Everything happens for a reason – there’s a bigger picture that has a lot of moving parts, karmic agreements with people and a big life purpose that only you can fulfill. Every experience is moving you to where you need to be… and you’re always right on schedule.

Whatever is right and yours will wait for you to claim it. Your possibilities are exponential, but might not be visible to you in the moment as Source puts them together to deliver to you your desires. Stay out of resistance to what ‘is’ and accept what comes to you as the opportunity it is and/or will lead to…consider such things as both an invitation to step up and a benchmark to celebrate your growth.

You CAN live the life of your dreams… I am living proof and in gratitude every day for my being in the opportunity to do my sacred purpose with the amazing people who come into my world.

Gray Lawrence

"You may avoid suffering and sorrow if you don’t risk, but you simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live. The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person, who risks nothing, does nothing and has nothing. Only a person who risks is free." Bob Proctor

PMA Added only..

You create your future with the power of your intention. Intention is simply the conscious act of determining your future now. Health, harmony in relationships, happiness, money, creativity, and love will come to you in the future, based on your intentions now.

Intend every day and create your future life. May the joy be with you, Rhonda Byrne

Making the Most of the Hand You’re Dealt

if I could share 500 words to inspire, this is the important wisdom I’d want to pass along to others…

Life has a way of dealing each of us a deck of cards that ranges in numbers and colors. Each and every day we wake up and pull a card and the day has been defined. There are good days and great days and sad days and unhappy days; however there is one thing that is is guaranteed – you have the freedom to accept what you are dealt or you can fold.

Over the course of a little more than four years, I had no idea what cards I would be dealt or that I would desperately need to find the Ace in my deck. It seemed that the only card I was dealt was a joker, and over and over again. My choice was to stay in the game and find my own internal strength to play to the end and see where that lead me.

I believe there will be moments when you feel that your challenges are just too much, but if you look around, you will see others who want to help you, shoulder your burden and give you respite and comfort so you can come back with the courage, faith, and stamina you need. There is so much to learn from others who have already played in the same card game you have.

The strength and power to overcome all types of adversity lies within each one of us – but you are not alone.

Most importantly, almost more important than anything else, is asking “What can I do for others that will make it a tiny wee bit easier to get through a similar life event? And how can I honor those who are gone?“

It is your choice how you deal with the life you have been given. You can wallow in it or you can choose to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and do something for someone else unselfishly. Or for yourself. Find what you are passionate about, get engaged, and before long you will only find the Aces!

The most important message I have for you is that “You are not alone.” Let us be your strength!

“Always remember that who you are is Love-able: able to love and be loved. Love-able is who you were created to be!” – Gladys Diaz

Gray Lawrence

"A smile is a gift for all around us, not to be kept by us; but to be given freely everyday to all you know see and pass by, No matter who or what they are feeling or look like. It is your duty your unwritten law! Your ambition for being put on this earth to make another person SMILE EVERY DAY – Gray Lawrence

From The Secret Daily Teachings We can never bring anything to us unless we are grateful for what we have. In fact, if somebody was completely and utterly grateful for everything, they would never have to ask for anything, because it would be given to them before they even asked.

That is the power of Gratitude.

May the joy be with you,
Rhonda Byrne

Life is not all rainbows and butterflies. It can be tough sometimes. And you’ve paid a heavy price to get this far, so the best option is to really make it count by moving forward from where you are. Free yourself from the world’s negativity – from the sources of ignorance telling you what you can and cannot do – by promising to look ahead, to live ahead, and to get ahead. In other words, start making positive promises to yourself!
Promise to fight back, to fight harder, to laugh louder and longer and slap adversity back into its seat whenever it dares to stand against you. Promise to be a force to be reckoned with – because you are a force to be reckoned with.
Make these promises to yourself, and keep them forever.
Repeat after me: “I promise…”

1. “I will not hold the past against myself.” – Your problems, your weaknesses, setbacks, regrets and mistakes teach you if you’re willing to learn, or they will punish you if you’re not. So let them teach you, every day. Take everything as a lesson learned. If you regret some of the decisions you have made in the past, stop being so hard on yourself. At that time, you did your best with the knowledge you had. At that time, you did your best with the experience you had. Your decisions were made with a younger mind. If you were to make these decisions with the wisdom you have today, you would choose differently. So give yourself a break. Time and experience has a wonderful way of helping us grow and learn to make better choices today, for ourselves and those we care for.

2. “I will own my life and never deny responsibility for it.” – Through the grapevine, you may have learned that you should blame your parents, your teachers, your mentors, the education system, the government, etc., but never to blame yourself. Right? It’s never, ever your fault… WRONG! It’s always your fault to a certain extent, because if you want to change, if you want to let go and move on with your life, you’re the only person who can make it happen. It’s YOUR move to make. It’s YOUR responsibility. Own it! (from the “Adversity” chapter of our book)

3. “I will live a life that feels right to me, not one that looks right to everyone else.” – Give yourself permission to follow the path that makes YOU happy. And realize that some people in your life will refuse to walk beside you as you embark on this journey; they simply won’t approve no matter what you say, and that’s OK. Sometimes when you commit yourself to creating your own happiness, it clashes with the perceptions of others. Sometimes when you gain something great, you have to let go of something else. And sometimes this ‘something else’ is a relationship that only wants you to do what they want you to do.

4. “I will let go of relationships that are obviously not meant to be.” – Most people come into your life temporarily simply to teach you something. They come and they go and they make a difference. And it’s OK that they’re not in your life anymore. Not all relationships last, but the lessons these relationships bring to you do. If you learn to open your heart and mind, anyone, including the folks who eventually drive you mad, can teach you something worthwhile. Sometimes it will feel weird when you realize you spent so much time with someone you are no longer connected to, but that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be. We all are. (from the “Relationships” chapter of our book)

5. “I will not let any situation permanently steal my smile.” – Even when times are tough, take a moment to pause and remember who YOU are. Take a moment to reflect on the things that have real and lasting meaning in your life. And then smile about how far you’ve come. Honestly, nothing in this world is more beautiful and powerful than a smile that has struggled through the tears. Any fool can be happy when times are easy. It takes a strong soul with real heart to develop smiles out of situations that make us weep. No matter how long it takes, it will get better. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end.

6. “I will keep stretching myself beyond my previous level of comfort.” – Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. Every great success requires some type of worthy struggle to get there. Know this! When you’re struggling, that’s when you’re growing stronger and smarter. The more time you spend there, the faster you learn. It’s better to spend an extremely high quality ten minutes growing, than it is to spend a mediocre hour running in place. Every day, you want to practice at the point where you are on the edge of your ability, stretching yourself over and over again, making mistakes, stumbling, learning from those mistakes and stretching yourself even farther. (from the “Goals and Success” chapter of our book)
And of course, if you’re struggling with any of these points, know that you are not alone. Many of us are right there with you, working hard to feel better, think more clearly, and live a life free of headaches and heartache. This is precisely why Marc and I wrote our book, “1,000 Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently.” The book is filled with short, concise tips on how to do just that. And believe it or not, I’m currently in the process of re-visiting and re-reading some of our own material this month, just to centre my mind on these positive principles and keep myself on the right track. If you’re interested in following along with me and making positive changes in your life this Spring, or if you simply want to read (or listen) our book at your leisure.

Gray Lawrence

The only challenges there are in your life are in your mind.When you realise that. .no matter the date time or year you have TWO choices to make.. The right one or the wrong one. Gray Lawrence

We can learn from our leaders of the past. Thomas Edison’s great optimism gives us a quintessential example of welcoming disaster. On a December night in 1914, fire broke out in the film room of Thomas Edison’s laboratory. As his assets were going up in smoke, it would seem that this sixty-seven-year-old man’s spirit would certainly be crushed. Instead he saw the fire and shouted to his son, “Where’s Mom? Go get her! Tell her to get her friends! They’ll never see a fire like this again!” Later, he said,

“You can always make capital out of disaster. We’ve just cleared out a bunch of old rubbish. We’ll build bigger and better on the ruins.”

Thomas Edison could not control the circumstances. Rather than being heartbroken to see his life’s work go up in flames, he chose to welcome the opportunity to start over. Edison, known for his overwhelming optimism, is an inspiration for us today.

Do you live with regrets? Are you able to put regret behind you easily?

Regret Is Not Your Friend

There are two sides to regret.

The first side involves regret for actions or events we wish had not happened and we would like to take back. We have all said or done things we regret. We may get upset and say things that damage our relationships or we may do things that cause harm. For example, Tiger Woods may regret his unfaithful conduct in his marriage.

I have done many things over my life that I regret, from investing in a scam to getting involved in a risky business venture to help out a friend. However, my regrets are now infrequent. Why? I took the time to identify the main causes of my actions and rooted them out. I had to learn to take responsibility for my contribution to my own troubles and to make values-based decisions, conducting myself in way that leaves little room for regret.

What about you? Think about the times when you felt regret. Is there a common theme? Do behaviours or habits contribute to your regret? What new thoughts or action steps could reduce your feelings of regret for the things you have said or done?

For the most part, the first type of regret can be tempered by time.

The second side of regret involves regret for actions not taken. This is the sin of omission. We must take this side of regret even more seriously because we cannot alter time to retrieve things that were missed: the job we did not take, the investment we ignored, or the opportunity we let pass by. The list can be long.

When I achieved the milestone birthday of 50 years, I felt a greater sense of urgency about all the things I wanted to do, despite my plan to live to 100+. I knew that it was my time to take action.

With keen awareness that mortality is universal and non-negotiable, I want to encourage every individual reading this article to take a stand:

“Starting today, I will live my life without regret, especially as it pertains to activities I want to experience and outcomes I wish to realize in my life.”

Here are a few areas you might wish to consider avoiding missing out on (and then later regretting):

§ Attending your child’s recital or concert

§ Beginning a regular fitness program

§ Travelling to that place you have been dreaming about for years

§ Taking that course to upgrade your skills—perhaps even getting the degree you have been contemplating

§ Trying a new food

§ Taking time for yourself

§ Quitting a job you hate

§ Calling a friend to share coffee or lunch

§ Attending the presentation or concert of someone (or group) you enjoy

§ Writing the article, poem, or book you’ve had percolating for ages

§ Joining the community group you’ve been thinking about

Unless material goods are directly linked to what you want to do or become, please don’t focus on them here. Yes, you can keep a list of the “things” you want to own, but putting a new painting on your wall may not be as meaningful as taking a vacation and having quality time with your family.

When have you said, “If only I had…?” Think about it for a moment. What do you wish you had done or become? What are you going to do about it? At this point, remorse won’t get you where you want to go; forward action will. Forget your excuses and make a decision to live your life without regret.

A research study conducted on individuals over 70 years of age asked participants these questions:

“If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently? What do you regret?”

The responses showed the following results:

§ They would take more time for themselves.

§ How many times have we met people who dedicated their whole life to others, at the expense of their own needs and goals?

§ They would take more risks.

§ This is the “if only” part of regret. “If only I had bought the property, taken that job, said ‘no’ to…” and on the story goes.

§ They would dedicate themselves to a cause or purpose that would last beyond their lifetime.

§ What’s your legacy? What will you be remembered for? Will you even be remembered at all?

A life lived without regret is living on purpose and making a difference, whatever the context. How do you rank yourself on a scale of 1 to 10? [1 = Poor (plenty of regret); 10 = Excellent (little or no regret)]

Let’s all strive to be as close to 10 as we can in all areas of our lives! Start now. No regrets, please!

ACTION STEPS:

1. List events in the past that have caused you to experience the most regret.Is there a common theme or set of situations where regret is recurring for you? What do you think the root cause(s) might be? What can you do to reduce your regret?

2. Think about all the things you regretnotWhat are your reasons for not taking action—lack of courage, not feeling worthy, compromising your values for others, etc.?

3. Make a list of things you can start doing immediately to reduce your regrets.Don’t make excuses for what you can’t do. Focus on what you can and will

7. Read my newest book,The Quest For Purpose. It will take you on a personal journey of discovery to help you confirm and affirm your passions in life.

8. Benchmark your gifts, talents, and passions by using CRG’s assessments.Your results will assist you to establish your beliefs with confidence, and increase your passion in all areas of your life.

Remember, our mortality is guaranteed. To those of you who are still procrastinating, I suggest you get started with your no-regrets philosophy this very moment. When you have no regrets, then you are truly living On Purpose!

Gray Lawrence

“The point is not to live without any regrets it is to not hate ourselves for having them..” Gray Lawrence

Change your mental attitude, and the world around you will change accordingly. Your world will become what you choose to make it. You can reach great heights of success, or you can settle for a miserable life that is devoid of hope. The choice is yours. When you choose a positive course, you set in motion an unstoppable force that will allow you to have a fulfilling career, the love of your family and friends, good physical and mental health, and all of the other true riches of life. To change your world, you must change it from the inside out. You must begin with yourself. When you choose the course that puts your life on a positive track, you will change your life for the better, and you will also positively influence the people with whom you come in contact. Napoleon Hill

After you’ve read just a few, the only question you’ll ask is:

“Why aren’t I doing THIS everyday?!”

· Increase your energy, strength and vigour

· Achieve a deeper level of physical relaxation

· Slow the aging process

· Reduce anxiety and increase emotional stability

· Become more creative

· Solve complex problems more easily

· Enjoy better sex

· Become more self-confident and develop your willpower

· Relieve chronic conditions like allergies, arthritis, and more

· Increase your focus and concentration

· Lose weight faster

· Improve your learning ability and memory

· Heal faster after surgery

· Create a deeper relationship with God

· Enhance your immune system

· Improve air flow to your lungs so you can breathe easier

· Reduce the need for medical care

· Improve your relationships

· Develop your intuition

· Become more productive

· See the larger picture in a given situation

· Reduce your need for prescription drugs

· Fall asleep faster

· Experience peace of mind and a greater sense of happiness

· Discover your purpose

· Create a widening, deepening capacity for love

Dear Genius,

How did Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Jesus survive weeks without food?

How did Leonardo da Vinci make advances in anatomy, astronomy, and physics that were centuries ahead of scientific discovery—and still find time to paint the most iconic picture in history?

What did people like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, and Albert Einstein do to help them pioneer remarkable breakthroughs and accomplishments?

They all used unique meditation techniques and mental exercises.

And these days, Oprah Winfrey, Sting, the Dalai Lama, Gwyneth Paltrow, and other accomplished individuals from every background and field of endeavour do it too.

Meditation is the doorway to innovative thinking, knowing, being healthy, finding calm inner strength, and… quite frankly… living happily, productively, and abundantly in this world.

And—contrary to what you may think—you can do it almost anywhere… even when you’re driving!

You’ve probably heard this before…

Every answer you seek is already inside your mind.

If that is true (and, based on the amazing benefits listed above, I believe it is), how do you get to those answers and insights when you need them?

If the genuine solutions and guidance you need are already in your mind, why are they sometimes so darn difficult to find?

On the other hand…

As hard as it can be to access this genuine information, every now and then the knowledge and insights just come to you like magic.

Why doesn’t that happen more often? Or, more importantly, how can you make it happen at your command?

The reason you get stuck has little to do with what’s in your mind.

The problem is with what’s not in your mind.

What your brain does normally

The electrical activity of the brain is measured in terms of “waves.” That means if you hook your head up to a machine that measures the electrical output of your brain, you’ll see it form a wave on the screen.

Your brain produces five basic types of waves. They’re called Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. While this sounds like a college fraternity, it’s really a measure of how fast or slow your brain is working at any given time.

Now here’s where what’s not in your brain comes in…

During most of the day when you’re working, texting, emailing, driving, or doing anything active, your brain waves are primarily in a Beta pattern.

But, if you want to find a creative solution to a problem or receive insights or breakthrough ideas on a challenge you’re facing, your brain needs to slow down to a Theta, Alpha, or Theta-Alpha pattern. These types of patterns occur when you’re drowsy, relaxed, and reflective (but not sleepy), or in a state in which a silent current of thoughts, images, and memories emerge spontaneously in your mind.

The problem is, with updates and news coming at you by the minute, and distractions and temptations just a keystroke away, it can be very difficult to achieve these slower brainwave patterns during the course of a normal day.

The result? You often feel overwhelmed and off-balance.

The doorway to breakthrough thinking

How can you slow down your brain waves even when you’re surrounded by chaos and stimulation?

By doing what Jesus, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, and many other brilliant individuals have done:

Develop your mental focus.

Mental focus enables you to shut out the noise that almost always surrounds you and to get calm in the ce of the storm. It is the single best tool you have for releasing the power of your mind and allowing the answers, breakthroughs, and insights you seek to be heard.

The best way to develop laser-sharp focus is to meditate. Meditation—in all its various forms—is supported by decades of scientific research and backed up by centuries of real-life experiences. It is proven to help you let go of all the content that generally occupies your consciousness by slowing down your brain waves. With your mind clear, you can access the knowledge that’s locked inside.

The fastest way to access the miraculous haven inside your mind

At Nightingale-Conant, it has been our pleasure to work with some of the most incredible minds of our generation. After a while, we started to notice a common thread between many of our most successful authors…

The most successful, happy, and well-balanced people all have the power to focus their minds. By developing a focused mind, these individuals have been able to rise to incredible levels of achievement in just about every field.

But, slowing down your brain waves to have a focused mind can be challenging—even for the experts! That’s especially true with the stresses and constant stimulation of modern life. Now, more than ever, you need to develop ways to gain instant access to the calm, all-knowing haven that’s inside your mind.

It’s an advanced mind-training program that combines meditation and mental exercises in a whole new way so you can develop laser-sharp focus like some of the greatest thinkers of all time and perform as never before…

Gray Lawrence

"Remember, the thoughts that you think and the statements you make regarding yourself determine your mental attitude. If you have a worthwhile objective, find the one reason why you can achieve it rather than hundreds of reasons why you can’t." Napoleon Hill